Valve unit for piston free pumps



Feb. 26, 1963 H. w. LAMB 3,078,

VALVE UNIT FOR PISTON FREE PUMPS Filed March 14, 1960 Harold W L mb INVEN TOR.

ATTORNEy United States Patent Ofifice 3,078,868 Patented Feb. 26, 1963 3,978,868 VALVE UNHT FOR PISTON FREE PUMPS Harold W. Lamb, Washington Crossing, N.J., assignor to rossley Machine Company, Inc, a corporation of New ersey Filed Mar. 14, 1960, Ser. No. 14,991 3 Claims. (Cl. 137-512) This application is a continuation-impart of my co pending application Serial No. 720,857, filed March 12, 1958, for Piston Free Pumps, now abandoned in View of its being superseded by the present application.

An important object of this invention is to provide in a pump of the character mentioned a liquid flow control unit for each of the cylinders of the pump each containing a liquid inlet and outlet chamber and fiow control valves, said units being easily removable for cleaning, and the parts therein being separately. replaceable.

Such pumps comprise a plurality of cooperative pumping units each including a cylinder having therein a cylindrical float valve member and designed to operate under gravity pressure from a source of liquid supply located above the plane of the tops of the cylinders. The tops of the cylinders communicate with a source of air pressure controlled by adjustable electrically actuated valves in cooperation with other valve elements in the liquid flow control units for permitting the cylinders of the pump to fill with liquid and the discharge of the liquid from the cylinders, in predetermined coordinated sequence, into a common delivery conduit.

structurally, my improved pump has only three moving parts for each cylinder, including (1) a cylindiical float valve member, (2) a gravity check valve heavier than its displacement, and (3) a float ball lighter than its displacement.

The cylindrical float valve members of all units are provided with axially opposite valve element-s adapted for alternately closing central parts in the top and bottom of each of the cylinders in proper sequence. The top ports are in communication with a source of air pressure controlled by electrically actuated valves, and the lower ports for admitting liquid into the cylinders are controlled by the gravity check valves closing the liquid inlet ports under air pressure until it is released to the atmosphere by the electrical valves. The liquid outlets of the cylinders into the common delivery conduits are controlled by ball float valves which close from below in either of the pumping units under back pressure from the common delivery conduit when the liquid from another cylinder is being forced therefrom by its floating piston under air pressure.

My improved pump and valve unit have no packings, seals or other fixed or moving parts adjacent or in contact with the pumping medium. The cylindrical float valve members are so controlled that one cylinder is filled with liquid under gravity pressure from a common source of liquid supply while the liquid from another previously filled cylinder is being expelled into the common delivery conduit, and vice versa. Thus, even with only two pumping units the pump will provide a constant delivery flow without surge.

When more than two pumping units are employed the control valves may be so adjusted that the cylindrical float valve member of a previously filled cylinder will be started on its downward stroke immediately before the completion of the downward stroke of said valve member in another filled cylinder, thus precluding any fluctuation in the delivery flow of the liquid.

Also, when more than two pumping units are em ployed, each unit may be provided with valves for shutting it off from the liquid supply source and delivery conduit when, for example, repairs are necessary, or it is desired to reduce the delivery volume of the pump as a the other units of the pump.

The construction and arrangement of my improved pump and valve unit preclude contamination of the pumping medium by external materials, such, for example, as oil, broken packings and other foreign matter which may be forced into the medium from pumps of previous types. This feature is of panticular importance in the pumping of certain liquids, such, for example, as the slip for ceramic products and many other liquids which require delivery in a pure condition. The operation or" this pump will not be impaired by back pressure of any kind, thus eliminating the need for safety valves, clutches or other safety devices. It may be used for pumping any kind of liquid, including the conveyance of molten metal to individual molds.

Another important feature of my improved pump and valve unit is that the pump will operate when submerged in the liquid, it being essential only that the air relief outlets at the tops of the cylinders and the air pressure supply lines and valves be above the liquid. Thus it may be placed in a sump in the hold of a ship or in a basement to pump water therefrom. Moreover, the capacity of this pump is limited only by the size of the liquid in v let and delivery orifices and the volume of air provided.

Other objects and advantages of my improved pump and valve unit will be apparent or pointed out in the following specification in which reference is had to the accompanying drawing.

The drawing is a sectional view showing one embodiment of my improved pump and valve uni-t.

Referring to the drawing in which like numerals designate like parts, the numeral 10' designates a pump base on which is mounted a plurality of closed cylinders 12' having bottom and upper ports 24 and 26 controlled by float valve members 30' and by three-way electrical valves 60, the latter controlling the flow of air pressure through the upper port, the cylinder block having a flange 12b removably attached to the base it) by screws 12c or other suitable means.

To each of the cylinders 12 is removable attached a flowv control or valve unit 14' including a tubular casing containing the necessary liquid inlet and outlet ports, partitions and valve members all of which are easily removable from either end of the casing which is provided with a uniform enlarged bore, which may be enlarged at its ends.

Each casing 14- is closed at each end by a screwthreaded plug 15 connected by a rod or bar 15' to a grating 15" spaced a substantial distance inwardly from the end of the casing. These gratings leave spaces defining respective liquid inlet and outlet chambers 16' and 18' with which respective inlet and outlet ports 34' and communicate. The inlet and outlet chambers 16' and 18 are separated and spaced from each other by certain sleeves and partitions in the casing 14" comprising at its upper end an assembly of abutting members including a short sleeve 17 abutting the inner end of the upper grating 15 a partition 19, sealed against the casing 14" by an O-ring 21 and having a port all controlled by a check valve 42 and a relatively long sleeve 23 in abutment with the upper end of a double grating 25 located intermediate the ends of the casing 14". At the lower end of each casing 14" a sleeve 27 containing a back pressure valve 54 abuts the inner end of the lower grating 15'. Above this sleeve is another partition 29 sealed against the casing 14" by an O-riug 33, having a central port 46' with a valve seat in its bottom side controlled by the back pressure valve 54. A short spacer sleeve 35 is interposed between the partition 29 and the grating 25. The casing 14" has a pipe connection 37 intermediate its ends to which one end of a liquid conduit or pipe 39 is connected, the other end of the pipe being connected to a plate 29 which is mounted in an opening 10b in the base it), and removably attached to the base iii through studs or screws 14d, with the pipe in communication with the port 24 in the lower end of one of the cylinders 12.

Although the liquid control units 14 are shown in a vertical position they will function satisfactorily in a horizontal position. Also, if submerged in a pool of liquid the control units can receive liquid through inlet ports 34' directly from the pool, as in the construction shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

As illustrated, the control units 14' are installed outside the base 10' and the parts thereof can be removed and replaced without disturbing the base. The liquid travels from the inlet ports 34 to the cylinders 12 and back to the outlet port 59' through the same pipes or conduits 39.

If desired the entire liquid control units 14' may be installed directly below the cylinders 12 in a horizontal, instead of a vertical position.

In my improved pump the liquid flow control unit 14' is removably attached to the bottom side of the base 19 and can easily be detached therefrom for cleaning of the ports and valves and any damaged parts can readily be replaced with new ones.

Various changes or modifications in the construction of my improved pump may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. Therefore, it should he understood that the embodiment of my invention shown and described is intended to be illustrative only, and restricted only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a liquid pump of the character described, a valve unit comprising a tubular casing provided with means for attachingit to a pump, said casing having a uniform through bore with enlarged end portions, and having removable plugs in the outer ends of said portions, said casing also having respective lateral liquid inlet and outlet ports inwardly of the ends of said plugs, said uniform bore also having an intermediate, lateral port for liquid outflow and return flow, a pair of gratings rigidly connected in axially spaced relation and slidable in said here with their peripheral edges spanning said intermediate port, a partition disc having a peripheral packing ring slidably inserted in said bore between one of said pair of gratings and said inlet port and having a central port in communication therewith; and a substantially identical partition disc slidably inserted in said bore between the other of said pair of gratings and said outlet port and having a central port in communication therewith, a plurality of supporting members slidably inserted in said bore in clamping relation with the gratings spanning said intermediate port, said partition discs and said end plugs, for supporting said, partition discs in fn'ed positions in said casing; and check valve means for controlling the flow of liquid through the ports in said partition discs; said partition discs, said pair of gratings and said slidable supporting members all being slidably removable together with said check valve means from either end of said casing upon the removaltherefrom of said plugs.

2. In a liquid pump of the character described, a valve unit comprising a tubular casing provided with means for attaching it to a pump, said casing having a uniform through bore with enlarged end portions and having in said portions respective lateral liquid inlet and outlet ports, said uniform bore also having therein an intermediate, lateral port for liquid outiiow and return flow, a removable plug in each end of said casing rigidly connected in axially spaced relation with a grating slidable in said bore, a pair of gratings rigidly connected in axially spaced relation and also slidable in said bore with their peripheral edges spanning said intermediate port, a partition disc having a peripheral packing ring slidably inserted in said bore between one of said pair of gratings and said inlet port and having a central port in communication therewith; and a substantially identical partition disc slidably inserted in said bore between the other of said pair of gratings and said outlet port and having a central port in communication therewith, a plurality of supporting members slidably inserted in said bore in clamping relation with the pair of gratings spanning the intermediate port, said partition discs and the gratings connected with said plugs, for supporting said partition discs in fixed positions in said casing; and check valve means for controlling the flow of liquid through the ports in said partition discs; said partition discs, said pair of gratings and said slidable supporting members all being slidably removable together with said check valve means from either end of said casing upon the removal of said plugs with their connected gratings from said casing.

3. A valve unit comprising a tubular casing having therein a uniform through bore removable plugs closing its ends and having respective lateral liquid inlet and outlet ports inwardly of the ends of said plugs, said casing also having an intermediate port for liquid outflow and return flow, a pipe having means at one end for attaching it to said casing in communication with said intermediate port and having means at its other end for attaching it to a pump, respective ported partition discs in said casing between said intermediate port and said other ports, said partition discs having peripheral packing rings slidable in said casing, means engaging the respective ends of said plugs and opposed partition discs for maintaining said partition discs in fixed relation in said casing, and check valve means for controlling the flow of liquid through the ports in said partions; said partition discs and the means engaging the ends of said plugs and partition discs for maintaining said partition discs in fixed relation in said casing being slidably removable together with said check valve means from either end of said casing upon the removal of said plugs from said casing.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 882,416 Pitner Mar. 17, 1908 1,011,213 Lemp Dec. 12, 1911 1,834,543 Kegler June 29, 1937 1,977,075 Magnuson Oct. 16, 1934 2,085,360 Hammett June 29, 1937 2,186,968 Graw Jan. 16, 1940 2,232,739 Sharp et a1. Feb. 25, 1941 2,532,247 Sykes Nov. 28, 1950 2,627,722 Johnston Feb. 10, 1953 2,753,804 Goss July 10, 1956 2,991,724 Crowl July 11, 1961 

1. IN A LIQUID PUMP OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED, A VALVE UNIT COMPRISING A TUBULAR CASING PROVIDED WITH MEANS FOR ATTACHING IT TO A PUMP, SAID CASING HAVING A UNIFORM THROUGH BORE WITH ENLARGED END PORTIONS, AND HAVING REMOVABLE PLUGS IN THE OUTER ENDS OF SAID PORTIONS, SAID CASING ALSO HAVING RESPECTIVE LATERAL LIQUID INLET AND OUTLET PORTS INWARDLY OF THE ENDS OF SAID PLUGS, SAID UNIFORM BORE ALSO HAVING AN INTERMEDIATE, LATERAL PORT FOR LIQUID OUTFLOW AND RETURN FLOW, A PAIR OF GRATINGS RIDIDLY CONNECTED IN AXIALLY SPACED RELATION AND SLIDABLE IN SAID BORE WITH THEIR PERIPHERAL EDGES SPANNING SAID INTERMEDIATE PORT, A PARTITION DISC HAVING A PERIPHERAL PACKING RING SLIDABLY INSERTED IN SAID BORE BETWEEN ONE OF SAID PAIR OF GRATINGS AND SAID INLET PORT AND HAVING A CENTRAL PORT IN COMMUNICATION THEREWITH; AND A SUBSTANTIALLY IDENTICAL PARTITION DISC SLIDABLY INSERTED IN SAID BORE BETWEEN THE OTHER OF SAID PAIR OF GRATINGS AND SAID OUTLET PORT AND HAVING A CENTRAL PORT IN COMMUNICATION THEREWITH, A PLURALITY OF SUPPORTING MEMBERS SLIDABLY INSERTED IN SAID BORE 